Battle of Passchendaele centenary commemorations - Wellington

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On 12 October 2017, a national commemorative programme will be held in Wellington to mark the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele.

It was during this battle that New Zealand experienced its darkest day. On 12 October 1917, an attack on Bellevue Spur resulted in 843 deaths in a single day and approximately 1,860 wounded. This devastating loss of life remains the highest one-day death toll suffered by New Zealand forces overseas.

Belgian Memorial Unveiling

Immediately following the national ceremony, a memorial gifted to New Zealand by the Belgian Government will be unveiled on the eastern terraces at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

Last Post ceremony

The daily Last Post ceremony will take place beside the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Pukeahu National War Memorial at 5pm.

Remembering Passchendaele: Our Darkest Day

A musical tribute, Remembering Passchendaele: Our Darkest Day, hosted by WW100 and Te Papa, featuring the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Band will take place at 6pm outside the Gallipoli Exhibition, in the Wellington Foyer of Te Papa. As part of the tribute, the RNZAF Band will be performing the wind band premiere of Dwayne Bloomfield's moving work, Passchendaele, creating an immersive interpretation of the battle. Show your interest in attending on the Facebook event here.